Anybody else deal with this?

[Mark1499]

I am rr moderate. 10 years roughly. I am fortunate in that I do not yet need a cane. When I’m not ( walking with a shopping cart) my gait is off. The best way to explain it is, I feel like I have spaghetti legs or jelly legs. I watch Biden and think, that’s how I walk! My sister who has mild rr says stretching out 30 minutes twice daily would fix this but IDK?

[kycmary]

Hi Mark yep that happens quite often & has for years. I drug a cane behind me for awhile as it stabilized me better than trying to walk with one.

[ahrogers]

Exercise and stretching will likely help. You can ask for a referral to physical therapy to get exercises tailored to you.

[goatgal]

There are many exercises that help. I see a PT who has shown me several which will (over time, if I faithfully do them) improve my gait and foot drop. None of them are difficult or painful, so my challenge is remembering to do them! For instance, every step I take should be heel first and longer (countering both foot drop and shortened stride). When I go for the mail, I try to remember to add a marching step to lift my legs. There are exercises to stretch my calf muscles, and others to tighten those on my skins (all affected by years of foot drop) and on it goes. As I've noted, the hardest task here is thinking about every step, every movement. I do find that exhausting and difficult,.

[Mark1499 in reply to goatgal]

Thanks

[tompumo]

I stretch a lot. It helps, but it's only temporary. It doesn't help much with balance, but you get a bit bore nimble after a while.

[Tazmanian]

I don't know what rr moderate or mild rr are but I would suggest using a cane or a rollator to help with your balance talk to your neurologist about it

[greaterexp]

I hope you get a PT referral to help with your gait. We are all at risk for falls and surely don't need any more injury!

I used to walk the dog we had twice a day and remember a few times having to call my husband or son to come get me after a short distance. I started out doing fine, but would start having painful spasms and need help getting home. Now that I've learned more about my "usual" times, I carry a fold up cane for just in case.

[Mark1499 in reply to greaterexp]

Thanks for your reply. I’ve just experienced such a rapid decline it concerns me. With 3 large black holes and locations plus lord only knows when I originally got MS I think they have been surprised how well I’ve done physically. My neurologist is a good doctor people come from all over the world to see him. He just won’t give you false hope witch I appreciate! I have a Monday appointment so I’m taking a paper with notes. I have an excellent sleep schedule and diet is ok. PT is an affordability issue I just think I may have to take on an inevitable challenge with out getting to stressed out! Prayers would be appreciated! Be blessed !

[greaterexp in reply to Mark1499]

Praying for you, brother!